INDEX planning for later life
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
How
Help from an OT can help individuals continue to enjoy everyday tasks in and around the home
can help you
AN OCCUPATIONAL THERAPIST (OT) is a trained health professional. He or she works with people of all ages and disabilities who have difficulties with everyday tasks. Their goal is to enable individuals and their carers to be more independent, thereby enhancing their quality of life. An OT will undertake an assessment of a disabled person’s ability and their living environment. They will assess what difficulties a person is actually having, and how best they can regain skills. Older people are normally assessed wherever they currently reside, often at home, or perhaps in a nursing home or hospital. The OT will look at the following areas of a person’s life and that of their carers: ◆ General mobility inside and outside. ◆ Transfers on/off a chair, the bed, the toilet, in/out of the bath or shower and in/out of a car.
◆ Self-care activities i.e. washing hair, dressing and shaving.
◆ Mobility on steps and stairs. ◆ Access in/out of the home. ◆ The layout of the property and how it could be adjusted to make life easier.
◆ Ability to prepare meals and eating. ◆ Ability to carry out domestic tasks i.e. cleaning, washing, dusting.
◆ General health, range of movement, physical strength and grip, balance and co-ordination.
The OT may then recommend equipment, minor adaptations and / or major adaptations to assist somebody to be more independent at home and to manage their identified problems.
Recommended equipment might include: ◆ A bath board and seat to assist with bathing.
◆ Chair and bed raisers – often a higher chair or bed is easier to get in /out of.
◆ A raised toilet seat, a frame or a grab rail. These would assist a person by providing
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Occupational Therapist Caroline Logan explains how and why OT can make late life that little bit easier...
leverage to assist with difficult transfers
◆ A pick-up stick – to assist with picking items off the floor.
◆ A long handled bath sponge. ◆ A jar opener for people with reduced grip in their hands.
Minor home adaptations may include: ◆ Lever taps to assist someone with reduced grip in their hands.
◆ Grab rails at the front and back door to assist someone getting in /out of the home safely.
◆ Specialist equipment, such as a hoist. ◆ A door entry system or key safe if you are unable to reach the front door in time.
Major home adaptations may include: ◆ A stair lift. ◆ These can sit on a straight or curved staircase depending on the design of your home.
◆ A through floor lift. ◆ Sometimes a staircase is too narrow to allow a stair lift to be fitted so a through floor lift is another option. It is also easier if a person is a wheelchair user.
◆ A level access shower instead of a bath. ◆ Ramped access in / out of the property ◆ A wheelchair accessible kitchen.
An OT can advise how these are funded and what help may be available to you. An OT could also recommend alternative ways of managing a problem looking at how an everyday task could be done differently. He / She could also refer you to other
services available i.e. speech and language therapy, physiotherapy, specialist nurses, wheelchair clinics or the voluntary sector.
So when might you need an OT? The chances are that you or a family member may need to see an OT at some stage in life, such as: ◆ When readjusting to the home environment after a spell in hospital.
◆ Following joint-replacement surgery. ◆ Following the diagnosis of an illness or disability.
◆ Following a fall – reduction in confidence ◆ If you’re becoming less mobile. ◆ When a carer is finding it difficult to care for a loved one.
◆ If everyday tasks, such as cooking or personal care, are becoming more difficult.
◆ Following an accident/trauma. How can I find an OT?
In the first instance ontact the Social Services department of your local council, which will have its own Occupational Therapy Team, a member of which will come round to assess your needs. They generally accept referrals from yourself or a family member, or a professional involved in your care, such as your GP. Equipment and minor adaptations are not charged for and if a major adaptation is required it should be funded under a means-tested grant (you may need to contribute towards the cost of this, depending on your financial situation). You could also consider finding a private OT. The College Of Occupational Therapists has a specialist section for OTs who work in private practice. They are fully qualified and registered with the Health Professions Council. Contact the college on 0800 389 4873 or via
enquiries@cotss-ip.org.uk, or see
www.cotss-ip.org.uk. Caroline Logan is a senior occupational therapist at Home Independence Services Ltd,
www.homeindependence.co.uk, tel 08456 800 787
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The INDEX magazine october 2011
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